WILLIAMSPORT, PA [DOEPA]
From August 29-30, 2026, the clergy and faithful of Elevation of the Holy Cross Church in Williamsport, PA, joyfully welcomed five new members into the Holy Orthodox Church.
On Saturday morning, the Feast of the Beheading of the Holy Glorious Prophet, Forerunner, and Baptist John, Archpriest Seraphim Reynolds, Rector, received four members of the Fallon family into the Church: Morgan “Emmelia,” Garette “Silouan,” Charlotte “Marina,” and Nathanial “Nicholas.”
On Sunday morning, August 30, Father Seraphim received Jiselle “Juliana” Macari into the Holy Orthodox Church through Holy Chrismation before the celebration of the Divine Liturgy. Matushka Diane Pelish served as her sponsor.
During the Divine Liturgy, the newly received faithful approached the Holy Chalice and received the Holy Eucharist for the first time as Orthodox Christians.
Following the divine services, the celebration continued with a festive coffee hour in the parish hall, where the faithful welcomed the newest members of their parish family and shared in the joy of the occasion. The reception of these five faithful marked a joyful and grace-filled weekend in the life of Elevation of the Holy Cross Church. The parish community offered thanksgiving to God and prayers that He would strengthen the newly received as they continue their lives in Christ and grow in the fullness of the Orthodox faith.
May God grant them and their sponsors many blessed years!
Photo credit: Melissa Czock, Brayden Gross, and Alexander Federoff
Glory to God for all things!
Issued by the Diocesan Media Office
